Rail anchor



Dern 4, 192s.

mmm..

led Dec. 3 Sv eats-Sheet 2 I i l Devn 4,1928. V 1,693,804

Deo. 9, 1927 man" h llllllllllllllllll Il Patented Dec. 4,1928.

UNITED STATES MLAND'IS A. BLAIR, OF EORT WAYNE, INDIANA.

, BAIL ANCHOR.

Application led December 9, 1927. Serial No. 238,818.

My invention relates to rail anchors and hasfor its object the provision of a new and improved form and arrangement of parts by which an anchor can be secured iirmly upon l a rail so that by engagement with a cross tie or other fixed part of-a track the rail will be held from movement longitudinally of itselr. It is one of the objects of my invention to prof vide an improved form of device by which the required gripping eiect may be attained for holding the rail with respect to the tie by the use of a minimum amount of metal, by which the device shall be held moststrongly against being twisted from the rail upon the application-of heavy pressure to the device, and by which there shall be a novel combination gripping effect upon the rail. To this end, it is one of the objects of my invention to provide an anchor which engages theltie at only one end portion so as to have a lever gripping eiiect` upon the rail about a vertical axis7 which is provided with two gripping jaws spaced longitudinally of the rail so -that as pressure is applied upon the anchor below the level of the rail there is a lever gripping effect upon the rail about an axis extending transversely of the rail, which is arranged so that there shall be a lever gripping eeet upon the rail about au axis extending longitudinally of the rail brought about b the application of the anchor to the rail, an in which one of the gripping jaws when distorted in the direcltion of the pressure is caused to grip the rail more tightly upon the edge of the flange as the pressure is increased.

It is another object of my invention to provide an-anchor having anew arrangement of gripping and retaining means by which the gripping jaws at one side of the rail are held in lever gripping engagement with a rail fiange by a transverse arm ly extending portion which stands in contact with the bottom face of the rail whenv the jaws are moved to the limit of their movement into position on the tiange bytransverse pressure applied opposite the edge of thel flan-ge and which snaps into holdin-g engagement with the sideface of the flange-when the aw members is swung inwardly toward the rail by pressure applied at the bottom portion of l the member. It is one of the objects of my invention to provide a construction of this type in vwhich thejaws are Yheld in lever gripping engagement with tion of the arm rior to the nal swinging movement of the jaw member for permitting having an upwardthe flange by the sprlng acthe snap engagement of the arm with the side face of the ange. It is another object of m invention to provide such a` structure in whic the final edective lever grip is brought about by the swinging movement of the jaw member in opposition to the spring action of said arm, the arm serving by its engagement with the side face of the iiange to prevent swinging movement in the reverse direction and serving thus by its tensile strength to hold the jaws in their lever gripping position. It is another object of my inventlon to provide an improved anchor comprising a gripping vjaw which normally stands at a slight angle with respect to a line extending transversely of the rail and arranged so that the chan e in the position of the jaw brought about y pressure thereon in use shall have the effect of further tightening the device on the rail. l 1t is another object of m invention to provide an improved form o rail anchor made from a single piece of metalv and provided with two rail abut-ments which can be used to equal advantage for engagement with the cross tie, making it unnecessary to produce both rightehand and left-hand constructions. It is still another object of my invention to provide a novel construction in which the parts which are distorted by the application of the anchor to a rail are so arranged that the necessarydistortion is distributed t0 diferent portions of the device suiiiciently to prevent permanent distortion atany point.

It is still another object of my invention to improve devices of this type in sundry details hereinafter pointed out. Th preferred means by which Ihave accomplished my severalobjects are illustrated in the drawings and are hereinafter speciiically described. That which I believe to be new and desire to cover by this application is set forth in the claims. v

In the drawings,- Fig, 1 is a face view of the preferred form `ofn`1yimproved anchor in its initial position upon a rail shown in section and partly broken away. f n Fig. 2 is aview similar to.l Fig. l but showing thel position of the parts when the .gripping jaws have been driven-evenly intopreliminary, gripping position 4upon the flange.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Figfbut showing the anchor in its final operativeposition. L Fig.. 4\is a top view of the part-sas shown in Fig'. n 3, and showing in `dotted lines a' changed '-psition'of the gripping jaw next l to the cross tie-such as might be produced by heavy pressure of the device a ainst the tie.

Fig; is a .view similar to ig.,1 but showi ingva modified form of construction.

1. a rail mounted upon a cross tie ll-with a tie plate 12 of any approved type interposed therebetween.

Upon one edge of the flange of the rail 10,

I have mounted the preferred form of my'improved anchonthe anchor beloosely applied in its initial position in he anchor as shown in Fi s. 1 to 4 comprises a plate of sheet metal 13 aving'a transverse bar 14 formed integrally therewith andv bent over in a gradual curvetoward'one face of the plate. Jaw members 15, also 'formed Vintegrally with the plate 13, are bent over into position at opposite sides of the transverse bar or arm 14, such jaw members 15 normally standingin divergent position with respect to eachother and in' equally. divergent position with respect to the arm 14. Each of the jaw members 15 is notched at its free vertical edge, providing jaws 16 and 17 adapted to en age the top and bottom faces res ctively o the flange of the rail `10. As

such that the arm 14 before application of the anchor to a rail normally stands opposite the notches so as to prevent the `j aw members from being applied to the flange of the rail for which they are designed for use except upon tion. At its -free end,

- s he jaw members 15 are then yinto engagement with the flange into about bythe applica^ 1 "erablyin en engage the edge of t e the rail. notch between the the application of pressure to the parts servingto displace the 'arm 14 from normal posithe arm 14 is provided with-an upturned portion 18 which is adapted in the final operative -sition ofthe anchor to `flange of the rail at the Vside opposlte that at which the head of the anchor is located.

In the application of the device as illustrated in said Figs.' 1 te 4 to a rail, it is first laced loosely in position as shown in Fig. 1. driven evenly early shown in Fig. 1, the arrangement is direction, the arm'bei-ng com arativel .longitudinally thereof ,for e h jaws 16 and 17 stands preft 'operativev lever gripping with the bottom face of the rail, the driving being resorted to for displacing the arm 14- downwardly with respect to the jaw members 15. In this position of the dparts, the upper jaw 16 of the device stan s preferably at about the same angle as that of the flange of the rail, while the lower jaw 17 enga-ges the bottom face of the flange throufrhout the full length of the jaw. For complzting the application of the device to the rail, pressure 1s applied upon the outer face of the head member near the bottom portion thereof, preferably by the use of a Sledge,

for giving the head member a swinging movement in counter-clockwise direction from the position shown in said* Fig. 2 about an axis extending longitudinally of the railso as to cause the versely thereof, the jaws 17 pressing upwardly at their end portions at the right -in Fig. 3 at the 19, and the Jaws 16 pressing downwardly. The arrangement is such that the maximum of downward pressure is applied at the points indicated by the numeral 20 at the shoulders located at the inner ends ofthe effective bearof the upper face jaws 164and 17 to have a very strong f. lever grip upon the flange of the rarl'transpoints indicated'by the numeral ing portions of the jaws 16, such points being f located at a substantial distance toward the left in said Fig. 3'as com ared with the pointsI of bearin of the jaws l on the bottom face as above escribed, whereby an effective lever grip is attained. This turning of the head of the device about an axis extending longitudinally of the rail serves in effect to increase the length of the arm 14 with respect to the flange of he rail, serving to permit the upturned portion 18 of the arm to snap into engagement with the ed e of the flange at the side thereof o posite t at on which the jaws are mounted, the arrangement being such that the snap enga ement of the arm with' the flange' is effected without any material. loosening of the jaws on the flange. The arm 14 thereafter serves by its continued engage.- men't with the flan e electually to prevent rotary movement of rigid. ecting t sult. VB its' engagement with the -bottom .face of t e rail ati'both sides thereof as shown ico the headin the opposite is rein Fig. 3, the arm 1 4 materially Vstrengthens and -reinforces'the grip of the anchor.

By the provision ofmy construction,in

which the grippinghead is driveninitiall Into engagement with Athe flange of the rail vuntil the end faceof the notch stands in contact with the edge face of the ange, a workman is-eil'ectually prevented .from over-driving the dev ice durmg the preliminar driving operation. When the gripping ead is bem .given its swinging movement'about'fa"}n -longtudina'l'axis from its ping position as shown in who .S ahw re' snp# Fig. 2 to its ne Y in Fig.i 3, the driving operation kept up only until tl'i'e arm 14 with its upturned portion 18 has snapped-securely into-engagement with the flange. This feature of my invention serves e ectively to protect my device.

against distortion bythe workman in the ap-l.

' plicat-ion ofthe device.

. reference ,to its effective cooperation with the corner 19 of the jaw 17 for attaining the desired lever rip. Y

By reason oI the fact thatthe jaws diverge from theedges at which they are connected with the intermediate plate'13, any heavy pressure between the cross tie and the abutment plate 'or jaw member tends to swing the plate toward the transverse arm 14 into some -such position as that shown by dotted lines inn Fig. 4. As will be readily understood, if the anchor is effectively tightened upon the rail with the abutment plate adjacent `to the cross tie in the normal position indicated by thi)J solid line position of the plate 15 in said y Fig. 4, the swinging movement of the plate from such an angle toA the changed angle as indicated serves quite materially 'totighten' the anchor upon the rail.

With the jaw members 15 in spaced relation longitudinally of the'rail and both grip ing the edge ofthe flange very tightly as a ove described, and with the cross tie 11 spaced some little distance Vbelow the rail through the use of the tie plate12, the pressure applied head of the anchor upon the lower end portion of the gripping y contact withthe tie at that point serves to apply a' very strong fill the several figures, and with the pressure between the anchor and the tie being applied all lever grip about a transverse axis, with the jaw member 15 pressing downwardly on the" vflange adjacent to the tie and the other jaw member' l5 pressing upwardly.` With the u turned portion 18 ofthe arm engaging the e ge of the flange at the right. as shown in at one end of the device, the anchor will have a distinct tendency to apply a heavy lever grip upon the railabout a vertical axis lol catedl between the upturned portion 18 and the bearings upon the yedge of the flange at the opposite side of the rail, with the end face of the notch in the jaw 'member 15 farther from the tie pressing toward the right'in Fig.` 4 and the forward edge of the upturned portion 18 pressing toward the left.

4vWhen it is desired to remove the anchor from the rail, thiscanbe effected by driving downwardly and toward'the axis of the rail upon the upturned portionv 18 ef. the arm 14. `By reason of the factthatthe gripping jaws are substantiallyl rigid. vertically and of the fact that the only part of the device' which is substantially displaced by the application'of the de.-v ice to a -rail is the arm 14 w which is arraiged flatwisew'ith respect to the rail, it will be appreciated that thedanger of permanent distortion of the device is very small. It will'be appreciated-also that by/ reason of my novel arrangementthe anchor can be applied to a rail vand removedtherefrom a great number of .times without de.

stroying its effectiveness -for gripping the rail for which it was originally designed. By

reason of the gradual' curvature of the arm 14 at lthe point'where it is connected with the plate 13, the distortion is ldistributed- --throughout the` length of tlie-arm and that at any one point is very small so as substantially distortion.

The lconstruction shownfin Figs. 'and 6 l is of the same type as that shown in Figs. 1 "j to 4, iiithat it comprises jaw members 15 adapted to be driven into preliminary grip-..-

ping position upon the rail 10 by pressure applied substantially opposite t-lie edge of the flange of the rail, withfa transversely'extending arm or bar adapted at the end of the prevent'any danger of permanent preliminary driving operation to stand in engagement with the bottom face of the `rail until the head'of the device has been given a slight rotary movement'for permitting the Y arm or bar to snap into engagement with the edge of t-he flange as above describd. The

peration of the-device of Figs. 5 and'6 is',

however,'somewhat different.

In the constructionshown in Figs-5 and 6, the jaw members 15 are formed integrally with a plate 13 with which the arm or bar 21 is'also formed integrally, the bar 21 corresponding to the bar 14 of the first described construction. The bar 21 is vcoupled with the head of the anchor at a point. compaia' tivelyniuch higherthan the point at which the arm 14 is coupled withthe head of the device of Figs. 1 to 4. The freeedges of the jaw members 15 are notched lfor providing jaws 16 and 17, clearance being provided at the upper face of the flange opposite its outer edge as in the first described construction.

When the anchor' is applied to. the rail 10 and driven into its preliminary gripping fposition as shown in Fig. 5, the jaws 16 and 17 are caused to exert an effective lever grip upon the rail flange' 10 by reason of the'displacement of the arm 21 downwardly, such arm 21 being adapted normally to stand in position opposite the notches in the free edges of the jaw members 15. In this preliminary gripping position, the end of the notch'stands in engagement with the edge of the flange o f the rail in substantially the same way as is 1llustrated invFig. 2 in connection lwith the'devic loc v there shown.l In the preliminary gri ping bottom portion of the head for forcing such bottom portion inwardly toward the rail', the downward pressure at the point 22 and the upward pressure at the .point 23V are relieved slightlyl by the turning movement of' the head for permitting the upright portion 24 on tl`ie end of the arm 21 to snap into holding engagement with the edge of the flange of the rail. Following the snap engagement of the arm with the edge of the flange, the aw menibers arel permitted to rotatev again in clockwise direction into the position shown in Fig. 6 in which the iaw members once more are held by the resilient arm 21 in lever gripping engagement with the flange of the rail, the

majorddownward pressure again beingat the 4point 22 and the major upward pressure being again at the point 23. The position of the point 22 is regulated by`,re`ference' t'o the position of the point 23 for producingan effective lever grip in the manner specified. The head of the anchor is permitted after the snap engagement of the arm 21 with the edge of the flange to return to substantially the' same position as shown in Fig. 6 as that forinerly occupied bythe head as shown in Fig. 5 by reason of the comparatively high coupling of the arm 21 with the head, the length of the arm 21 being regulated for permitting the operation as described.

In the construction shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, the arm 25 formed integrally with the plate 26 of the head ofthe device is turned lback- .Wardly inthe opposite direction from that in which thel jaw members 27 are turned, the notches for receiving the edge of the rail flange being formed in the edges of the jaw members 27 adjacent to the point where such j'aw,members are connected with the plate 26 rather than at their free edges. as in the .construction shown'in Fig. 1. The construction asshown in Figs. 7 8 and 9 follows that V of the device shown in Figs. 1 to 4 more closely than that sliown inFigs. 5 and6, in that in the construction of Figs.'7, 8 and 9 the transverse `arm 25 is coupled with the head of the anchor at a comparatively low point, and the length of the arm 25 is such as to permit the upturned portion 28 to snap into holding engagement with the edge of the flange only when the jaw members 29 and 30 have been turned in counter-clockwise direction in Fig. 8 intolever gri pingengagement with the flange of the rai It will be understood accordingly that in the construction of Fig. 8

the maxi-mum downward pressure is applied at the point 31 at the inner end of the effective portion of the upper jaw 29 and that the lmaximum upward pressure isy applied at the y arm 25 with the edge of' the flange.

While I prefer to employ the construction as disclosed by my drawings and as above de' scribed, I do notwish to limit my invention thereto except so far as certain of' the`clams vmay be specifically solimited by vreference to the prior art, since it will be understood that changes may well be made in my construction 'without departing from the spirit of my invention. While I have described the jawmembers as being rigid vertically, it will be understood that such description is `used in `its relative sense to 4mean that under conditions of use as contemplated `the yielding. if any, is so small as to have no material effect on the results.

1. A rail anchor comp-rising in combination a jaw member having jawsfor engaging the top and bottom faces ofthe flange at one side of a rail and arranged for permitting a slight angular movement of the jafw member with respect to the flange abouti an axis extending longitudinally of the rail for exerting an effective lever grip on the flange transversely thereof, and a resilient arm connected with said' jaw member in position to extend underneath the rail and having an upturned end portion adapted when the jaw 'member' is moved to the limit of its motion into position on the flange by transverse pressure' applied opposite the edge of' the flange to stand in contact withithe bottom face of the flange and adapted when the jaw member is thereafter swung inwardly toward the rail b pressure applied at the lower end portion o the member to snap into holding engagement with the edge of the flange, said arm being adapted by its bearing on the rail to hold said 'j aw member in turned lever gripping engagement with the flange.

2. A rail anchor comprising in combina loo tion a jaw member having jaws for. engaging the top and bottom faces ofthe flange at one side of a rail and having clearance with re-v spect to the flange at opposite sides of the effective bearing portions' of the jaws for permitting a slight rotary movement of the j aw member about an axis extending longitudinally of the rail for exerting an effective lever' Y grip on the flange, and a resilient arm connected with said )aw member in position tol extend underneath the rail and having an upturned end portion adapted when the jaw "member-is moved to thelimit of 'its motion into position on the fiange by transverse pres?l sure applied opposite the edge of the flange to stand in contact with the bottom face of the flange and adapted when the jaw member is thereafter' swung inwardly toward the rail by pressure applied at the lower end portion of the member to snap into holding. engagementwith the edge of the flange, said armv being adapted by its .bearing on the rail to hold said jaw member in turned lever gripping engagement withy the flange.

. a jaw member having jaws in rigid spaced4` and lbottom faces of the flange at; one side relation to each other' for engaging the t'op of a rail'and arranged for permitting a slight angular movement of the jaw member with respect to the flange about an axis extending longitudinally of the rail for exerting an effective lever grip on the flange transverselythereof, and a resilient armconnected with said jawv member in position opposite the Y space between-the Jaws so as to be displaced downwardly' with respect to the jaws .A upon the application of the anchor tothe rail and adapted by its bearing on the. rail to hold thejaw member in its turned lever gripping posi- -tion with respect to the flange and to prevent the jaw member from backing transversely out of gripping position. 4. A rail anchor comprising in combina- `tion'a jaw member -having jaws for engaging the top and bottom faces of the flange at one side of `a rail and arranged for permitting a slight angular movement of Athe jaw member with respect to the flange about an axis extending longitudinally of therail for exerting an effective lever grip on the flange transversely thereof, and a resilient arm connected with said jaw member in position to extend underneath-the -rail adapted by engagement with the bottom face of the flange at both side portions of the rail and by engagement with the side face of the flange at the free end of the arm to hold said jaw member in turned lever gripping engagement with the 5. A rail anchor comprising in combination twojaw members in the form ofplatesin spaced relation to each other and connected I at their outer edge portions by a third plate formed integrally therewith, each of said jaw members beingprovided with a notchin its inner edge portion providing jaws for engaging the top and bottom faces of the flange of a rail and arranged with clearance with respect to the flange 'at opposite sides of the eective bearing portions of the jaws for permitting a slight rotary movement' about an axisextending longitudinally of the rail for exerting an effective lever grip on the` flange, and an arm -formed integrally with VVV*said third plate and extending lbetween .said

jaw members into position. opposite ,said

.tom face vof the flange and by vengagement with the side face of the-flange at the free end '0f the arm to hold said jaw members inturned lever gripping engagement with the lian ge. f

l6. A rail anchor comprising in combination a jaw member adapted byl rotarymovement y about an axis extending longitudinally of a rail to have a lever'g'rip upon the lflange of the rail at one sidethereof, and an arm adaptg ed at lthe end of said rotary movement of the' 3. .A rail anchor comprising in combination jaw member to snap intoholding engagement withl the edge-of the flange at the opposite side of thejrailandadapted by its tensile strength to hold said ]aw member in its turned gripping` position.

. 7. A rail anchor comprising in combination a head portion having aws for. engaging the top and bottom faces of the flange at one. side of a rail' and adapted to be, rotated about an axis extending longitudinally of the' rail n to exert;a lever grip on said top and bottom faces, and an' arm extending under the rail adaptedfbyvengagement with the opposite'edge of the rail to hold said jaws in their v lever gripping enga-gement with said ange. 8. A rail anchor comprising .in combina-V tion a head portion having upper and lower. .jaws for engaging the top and bottom faces tion two jaw members ink spaced relation adapted by rotarymoveinentabout an axis extendingV longitudinally of a rail to have a lever grip upon the fiange of the railat one side thereof, and an arm extending under the rail between said Vjaw members andconnected with saidv members at a distance below the rail adapted upon the rotary movement of the jaw membersfinto their final lever gripping position to snapI into holding engagement withthe edge of the flange at the opposite side of the railfand adapted by 1 ts pull on the jaw members .to hold them in their turned gripping positibn.

10. A rail anchor comprising incombination a head memberhaving 'vertically rigidY gripping jaws for engaging the top and bottom faces ofthe flange at one side lof a rail, and a resilient arm connected at one end with said head member and extending under the rail with its other end turned up for .engagement with the edge of the-flange at the opposite 'side of -the rai'l, thelength of the arm and its position on thehead member being such that the arm `is enabled to grip the edge of the flange at said opposite side of the rail only when the head member has been turned about a'longitudinal axis so as4 to bring the jaws into lever grippingengagement with thefiange.

11. A rail anchor comprising in combination a head member having vertically rigid' position on the rail but adapted to snap into engagement with the edge .of the flange' of the rail` when' the head is turned about said longitudinal axis by pressure applied at the bottom portion of the head. y

12. A 'ailanchor comprising in combination a head member having vertically rigid gripping jaws forengaging the top and bot tom faces of the fiange at one side of a rail,- land a resilient arm connected at one end with said head member independently of said ripping jaws and'-v extending under the rail, t e opposite .end of said arm being provided with a turned-"up ortion adapted to engage the bottom face otheA rail when the head' is driven evenly into preliminary gripping position on the'rail but adapted to sna 1nto holding engagement withthe edge o the flange of the rail when the head is turned about a longitudinall axis by pressure applied at the bottom portion of the head and adapted thereby to hold thejaws in lever gripping engagement with the flange.

l13. Arail anchor comprising in combination ahead membervhavmg vertically rigid gripping jaws for engaging the 4top and bottom faces of the flange at one Aside 4of a rail,

a resilient arm lconnected at one end with.v

said head .member and extending under the rail, and means carried by the arm adapted by snap engagement with the edge of the flange of the rail when the headis turned 'about 'a lon ltudinal axisby ressure at the bottom portion of the head to old said head against turning in the opposite direction, said arm being adapted by-engagement with the bottom face of. the rail ad'acent to the head of the anchor to strengt en the. grip of the. anchor on the rail.

14. A 'rail anchor comprising in combination ahead member having vertically rigid vgrippingfjaws for engaging the top and bottom facesof the flange at one sidev of a rail, and a resilient arm formed of sheet metal con-l nected at one end with said head member and with the flange.

extending underithe rail with its edge disposed toward the cross tie and with its other end bent up for engagement with the ede of the flange at the opposite side of the rail, the length of the arm and its position on the head member being such that it is en-V abled to grip the edge of the flange only -when the head member has been turned about a longitudinal axis so as to bring the jaws into lever gripping fiange.A

engagement with the 15.- A rail anchor comprising in combina,

tion a headmember having vertically rigid gripping jaws for enga/ging the top and bottom faces of the yflange at one side of a rail, a resilient arm connected at one end with said head member and normally projecting in such A direction from the head member `that it is displaced downwardly upon the application of the anchor to a rail and is held by its resiliency in contact with the bottom face of the rail when the anchor is in position thereon, and means carried by the ar adaptedby snap engagement with the edge of .the flange of the rail when the head is given an effective lever grip on the rail by a turning movement about a longitudinal axis by pressure applied at the bottom portion of the head to hold said head against a loosening movement in the opposite direction.

`16. A rail anchor comprising in combination a head member having. vertically rigid gripping jaws forengaging the top and bottom faces of the fiange at one side of a rail, and a resilient arm connected at one end with said head member at a point below said jaws and extending from the head4 member under the rail, said arm being pro-vided with means at its opposite end adapted to snap into engagement with the edge of the fiange of. the

rail only when the effective lengthfof the arm 'is increased by a turning movement of the head aboutallongitudinal axis for bring.- ing the jaws into lever gripping engagement 17. A rail anchor comprising in kcombination a jaw member, a notch in the edge of said.

memberproviding'aws for engaging the to and bottom faces o the flange of the rail an arranged with clearance with respect to the flange for permitting a slight rotary movement about an axis extending longitudinally 'of the rail for exerting'an effective lever grip' on the flange, and an arm connected with said l jaw member and provided with 'an upturned portion -at'its free end adapted upon the fro.-

tary movement of the jaw member into its' sition to snap into holdinglever gripping engagement Wit the edge of the fiange at the v opposite side of the-rail and adapted by such `ping engagement with the rail..

engagement to hold Said jaws in tight grip- Y 18. Arail anchorI comprising in combination a jaw member, a note in theedge of said member providing jaws for engaging'the top I and bottom faces of the flange of the rail,

said notch being arran ed so that the end of the effective portion o the upper jaw is located only a short distance to one side of the opposite end of the etl'ective portion of the lower jaw whereby a rotary movement of the jaw member produces an effective levergrip on the flange, and an arm connected with said jaw member and provided with anupturned portion at its free end adapted to engage tile .bottom face ofthe rail when the jaw member is driven evenl into gripping engagement with the flan e ut adapted upon said rotary movement o the jaw member to snap into holding engagement with the edge of the flange at the opposite side of the rail for holding said jaw member in tight gripping .engagement withthe rail.

19. A rail'anchor comprising in combina; tion a sheet metal plate, two jaw members formed integrally with said plate and turned at an angle with respect thereto into spaced relation to each other, notches in the edges of said members "providing jaws for engaging the top and bottom faces o the flange of' the rail and arranged with clearance with respect to the flan e for permitting a slight rotary movement a out an axis extending longitudinally of the' rail for exertingan effective lever grip on the flange, and an arm `formed integrally with said first named plate and provided with an upturned portion at its free end .adapted upon the rotary move-M ment of the jaw members into their. level: gripping position to'snap into holding en` gagement with the edge of the flange at the opposite side of the rail and adapted by such engagement to hold saidjaws in tight lever gripping engagement with the lrail.

- 20.. A rail anchor comprising in combination two jaw members connected together at corresponding edges in spaced relsation to each other, each member having gripping jaws for engaging the toI andbottom faces of the flange at one side o a rail, and an arm connected with said 'aw members and extending under the rail when the anchor` is applied thereto, said arm having an upturned portion at its free end ada ted by engagement with th edge of the ange at the op` of said aw members is displaced toward the other member the jaws are further tightened upon the rail 21. A rail anchor comprising in combination a sheet metal plate, two jaw members formed'integrally with said plate and turned at an angle with respect theretoy into spaced of the flange at the opposite side of the rail to hold said jaws in tight gripping engagement with the rail.

22. A rail anchor comprising in combination a "sheet metal plate, an arm connected with said plate and extending from one face thereof, jaw members formed integrally with said plate and standing on opposite sides of the arm in divergent position with respect to the arm, said jaw members being provided with notches in corresponding edges forming jaws for engaging the top and bottom faces of the flange of a rail, and an upturned ortion at the free end of said arm adapte by engagement with the edge of the flange at the opposite side of the rail to hold said jaws -in tion a sheet metal plate, sheet metal jaw memjbers formed integrally with said first named plate and bent into spaced .relation to each other at one face of the plate, said jaw members being provided with notches-in their free, edges forming jaws .for engaging the top and bottom faces of the flange of a rail,

.an arm formed integrally with sald plate and bent at an angle thereto so as to extend between said jaw members and under the rail in flatwise position with respect to the rail and an upturned portion at the free end o the arm adapted when the jaws are driven evenly into preliminary gripping engagement with the flange to engage the bottom face y of the rail but adapted when pressure is applied to the bottom portions of the jaw members to snap into engagement with the flange of the rail and adapted by such engagementto hold the jaws in gripping engagement with the rail. Y

j ROLANDIS A. BLAIR. 

